disarm

1 of 2

verb

dis·​arm dis-ˈärm How to pronounce disarm (audio)
diz-
ˈdis-ˌärm
disarmed; disarming; disarms
Synonyms of disarmnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to deprive of means, reason, or disposition to be hostile
disarmed criticism by admitting her errors
b
: to win over
2
a
: to divest of arms
disarm captured troops
b
: to deprive of a means of attack or defense
disarm a ship
c
: to make harmless
disarm a bomb

intransitive verb

1
: to lay aside arms
2
: to give up or reduce armed forces
disarmament noun
disarmer noun

disarmer

2 of 2

noun

dis·​arm·​er
¦disˈärmər
: a person who favors disarmament
a nuclear disarmer

Examples of disarm in a Sentence

Verb The government has been unsuccessful at disarming the rebels. The terrorists have refused to disarm. It took more than an hour to disarm the bomb.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
He was apprehended by military police after being restrained and disarmed by fellow soldiers. CBS News, 23 June 2026 Instead of perfection, Rainey strove to disarm her audience, at times intentionally tripping or starting off with a joke to humanize herself and lighten the mood, McNulty said. Sierra Lopez, Mercury News, 23 June 2026 Such opportunities to safely disarm an armed suspect using a drone may still be rare as long as the person is fully conscious. Jeremy Hsu, ArsTechnica, 23 June 2026 Perhaps because she’s just better socialized than me, Olivia Rodrigo responds with disarming attention to my usual pre-interview small talk. Shaad D’souza, Pitchfork, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for disarm

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English desarmen, literally, to divest of arms, from Anglo-French desarmer, from des- dis- + armer to arm

First Known Use

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of disarm was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Disarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/disarm. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

disarm

verb
dis·​arm (ˈ)dis-ˈärm How to pronounce disarm (audio)
1
: to take weapons from
disarm a prisoner
2
: to reduce the size and strength of the armed forces of a country
3
: to make harmless, peaceable, or friendly : remove dislike or suspicion
a disarming smile
disarmament noun

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